“I shall wait a little while longer to see if there be any hopes of your reform.  If not, I shall cut you off from the succession as one lops off a dead branch.  Do not think that I wish to intimidate you; and do not place too much reliance upon the fact that you are my only son.[15] If I am willing to lay down my own life for Russia, do you think that I shall be willing to sacrifice my country for you?  I would rather transmit the crown to an entire stranger worthy of the trust, than to my own child unworthy of it.”

[Footnote 15:  The empress gave birth to a son shortly after this letter was written.]

This letter produced no effect upon the shameless debauchee.  He continued unchecked in his career of infamy.  In acknowledging the receipt of his father’s letter, he contemptuously replied that he had no wish for the crown, and that he was ready at any time to take an oath that he would renounce it for ever.  Matters were in this position when the tzar left for Denmark.  He had hardly arrived in Copenhagen when he received dispatches informing him that his son was gathering around him all the disaffected, and was seriously endangering the tranquillity of the State.  Once more the anxious father wrote to him in these words: 

“I observe in your letter that you say not a word of the affliction your conduct has caused me for so many years.  A father’s admonitions seem to produce no impression upon you.  I have prevailed on myself to write you once more, and for the last time.  Those bushy beards bind you to their purposes.  They are the persons whom you trust, who place their hopes in you; and you have no gratitude to him who gave you life.  Since you were of age have you ever aided your father in his toils?  Have you not opposed every thing I have done for the good of my people?  Have I not reason to believe that should you survive me you will destroy all that I have accomplished?  Amend your life.  Render yourself worthy of the succession, or turn monk.  Reply to this either in person or in writing.  If you do not I shall treat you as a criminal.”

The reply of Alexis, was laconic indeed.  It consisted of just four lines, and was as follows: 

“Your letter of the 19th I received yesterday.  My illness prevents me from writing at length.  I intend to embrace the monastic life, and I request your gracious consent to that effect.”

Seven months passed away, during which the tzar heard nothing directly from his son, though the father kept himself informed of his conduct.  As Peter was returning from France he wrote to his son reproaching him for his long silence, and requesting him, if he wished to amend his ways and secure his father’s favor, to meet him at Copenhagen; but that if, on the contrary, he preferred to enter a convent, which was the only alternative, he should inform him by the return courier, that measures might be adopted to carry the plan immediately into effect.